Fulham are reportedly interested in signing Benfica defender Morato.
Marco Silva wants to build on a good 2022/23 campaign at Craven Cottage that saw his team finish in the top-half of the table upon their promotion. The Portuguese tactician is yet to sign a player during the ongoing transfer window and has seen several players on loan depart to their respective parent clubs.
However, according to The Telegraph, Fulham have opened talks with Benfica over a deal for Brazilian centre-back Morato to strengthen their defensive ranks for the 2023/24 campaign.
Morato, 22, joined Benfica in 2019 from Brazilian giants Sao Paulo, and has since gone on to play 50 times for the senior team, scoring twice. The centre-back endured an injury-hit last campaign that restricted him to just nine league appearances.
After starting the first four games of the season, an ankle injury sidelined the Brazilian until late December. Morato returned to full fitness in January 2023 but could only manage four league appearances in the last five months.
Morato to Fulham—Good move?
Marco Silva wants to reinforce his squad over the summer to challenge for the top six next season, with focus likely to be given on the defence, especially after Tosin Adarabioyo’s wish to leave Fulham amid interest from Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.
Adarabioyo has been a reliable performer for Fulham ever since signing from Manchester City in 2020, racking up over 100 appearances in all competitions. He featured 29 times last season, and if the 25-year-old is to leave for Spurs now, that would leave a huge hole in defence for Marco Silva to fill ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Benfica’s Morato is a target for Fulham as Silva looks to potentially replace Adarabioyo at the heart of his team’s defence. Morato may have struggled with a sprained ankle last term but overall, he has been a reliable presence in Benfica’s backline. Tidy on the ball, strong in the air and a tenacious tackler, the Brazilian fits the profile of a defender Silva likes to work with.
With Adarabioyo keen to leave and Tim Ream set to turn 36 in October, there is a real opportunity for the Cottagers to strengthen the personnel and provide Issa Diop with a young prospect to work alongside as part of the long-term future of the team. As a result, the signing of Morato could be the perfect opportunity to bolster the centre-back options with a defender of huge potential and European pedigree who could not only boost Fulham’s overall squad but also be a solid replacement for the wantaway Adarabioyo.
With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Fulham to complete a deal for Morato this summer as it could well be a move that facilities an exit for Adarabioyo.
